Kentucky Roam enhances growing reputation

Evenjobb, UK – With summer in full flow the Old Radnor trotting races at Evenjobb provided a wonderful afternoon of harness racing entertainment.

The public with racecard in one hand and icecream in the other witnessed superb racing, as the speedy horses responded to top of the ground conditions.

Three nursery races preceded the serious races, in the first Kentucky Roam belonging to the Perks family from Presteigne enhanced his growing reputation with another win.

In the second race it was Bets All Off (Sargeant Llandrindod) on his first time on the track who claimed first place, while in the third nursery another one with a few runs on the books Immortal Storm (Meaney Merthyr) was first passed the post.

The Novice section is very competitive at the moment and this week was no exception as the backmarker Lakeview Meg (Atherton Rees, Narberth) with Debbie Hitchcock on board stormed to victory in the first heat in front of Fronfelen Duchess (Preece Llanbister) with Tyssul Pennylane (Broome, Bromfield) in third. In the second Novice heat Evenwood Thumps Up (Lewis, Llanyre) romped away to victory with Mel Langford at the controls in front of the fast finishing Fantasizing (Havard, Dinmore) while the ever reliable Lanehouse Patch (Thomas, Merthyr) was third.

In the first Grade B the in-form George Gentle despite his ten yard handicap claimed an heroic victory for his young owner, trainer, driver Zak Lewis from Welshpool, in second was Arctic Prince (Gwatkin Evenjobb) with Tyssul Pearl (Thomas, Llanbister) in third. Meadowland Maverick with owner, trainer Oliver (OJ) Jones from Evenjobb on board produced a classy run to take the second Grade B heat from the handsome Ayr Ontario (Weigle Llanddewi Velfrey) while Tillies Larg (Evans, Brecon) ran on well to be third.

In the first Baby Novice the newly promoted Cool Ice (Gething, Ewyas Harold) partnered by her trainer Derek Pritchard ran a mature race to win from the well respected Talavary Zara (Jones, Evenjobb) with newcomer The Chancer on his first time with Mid Wales racing (Knox, Pandy) was third. Universal Soldier belonging to long time trotting enthusiasts David & Marion Powell from Merthyr Cynog and driven by his trainer Oliver (OJ) Jones won the second Baby Novice race ahead of Rhyds Panalulah (Gething, Ewyas Harold) while Ook Whos Coming (Evans, Brecon) was third.

After the break the racing continued with a saddle race where five jockeys battled it out, the spoils going to the experienced Jayne Bevan on No Mercy (Weigel, Llanddewi Velfrey) with Habberley Haste (Lloyd, New Radnor) in second and Nia Patrol (Williams, Ludlow) in third.

Four juniors lined up in the next race with experience counting as Ellie Tromans driving Makemeamilliaonayr (Weigel, Llanddewi Velfrey) was first passed the post in front of the hard pulling Wellfield Wally (Bevan, Builth Wells) driven by Rachel Bevan-Thomas while the striking Camden Lock (Lloyd & Samuel, Painscastle) ridden by Jess Samuel was third.

The Novice final saw another display of speed from Evenwood Thumps Up (Lewis, Llanyre) as Mel Langford urged him to the front where he remained, despite the efforts of his pursuers, again Fantasizing (Havard, Dinmore) finished strongly in second while Fronfelen Duchess (Preece, Llanbister) was third.

The Grade B Final produced another fine run by the much respected George Gentle with his nineteen year old, owner Zak Lewis at the controls beating Ayr Ontario (Weigel Llanddewi Velfrey) into second while Fold the Notes (Perks, Presteigne) ran on well to be third.

The final race of the day was the Grade A, with nine horses lined up, it was Best of the Fleet with owner Matt Lewis from Welshpool claiming a thrilling victory from Chinatown Kolt (Jones, Llanllwni) with Ithon Inmate (Price, Brecon) finishing in third. The Lewis family from Welshpool registering a significant double by winning both the Grade A with Matt Lewis driving and the Grade B with son Zak driving.

Next week is the prestigious Presteigne races held on Broadheath common on Saturday, June 24 starting at 1.30 pm.

By Brecon and Radnor Reporter in Equine

Reprinted with permission of The Brecon And Radnor Express